The Truth About Orange Stains on Towels That Stay Put

I remember the first time I spotted it — a strange, almost neon-orange blotch on my favorite grey hand towel. It didn’t look like a normal stain; it had a weird glow, like someone had taken a highlighter to it. I assumed it was rust from the towel bar or maybe a spill I’d forgotten about. I tossed it in the wash with extra detergent, confident it would come out. It didn’t.

1. Benzoyl Peroxide — The Big Offender

The main cause? Benzoyl peroxide — a common ingredient in acne creams and cleansers. It doesn’t stain in the usual way. Instead, it bleaches the fabric’s dye, leaving behind an orange or yellowish patch. On dark towels, the contrast is even more obvious.

Once the color is stripped from the fibers, no amount of scrubbing or soaking will bring it back. My “aha” moment came when I realized the marks matched where my face and hands touched the towel after washing up at night. Even brief contact adds up over time.

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